Good places/organizations to volunteer

I’ve been thinking I need to do some more volunteer work, but I’m not sure where to start (and I want to make sure I put my efforts in the right place!). Which organizations have you volunteered with? What were your experiences?

@bluegreenjean: I volunteered with an organization called T.A.P.S it stands for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. I really really enjoyed volunteering with them. I’m not sure if there is a way to volunteer with them if you don’t live near a military base.

I also volunteered with an organization called Operation Military Kids, I really liked volunteering with them as well but again I’m not sure if there is a way to work with them without being near a military base.

@Soladylike: If I had to give a rough characterization, I’m your traditional secular, intellectual lefty-liberal. I love food, cooking, teaching, and working with people in general. My background is in academics and education — so tutoring of some variety would be an obvious use of my abilities (but, I’m not sure if I want to spend my free time doing more teaching). I also am passionate about issues in social justice, equality, feminism . . . etc.

There are volunteer oranizations for pretty much everything. I volunteered on the presidential campaign last year. When I was in high school I volunteered at the local zoo as a volunteer zookeeper/educator. Lots of NPOs accept volunteers so sometimes a simple phone call can open that door.

volunteermatch.org helps people who want to volunteer find organizations to volunteer for.

Here’s a website that shows volunteer opportunities in your area. It links you to their website and from there you can apply or see if it’s for you. Just plug in your city and go, or you can narrow it down by things you’re passionate about.

@BrandNewBride: As a librarian, I second the suggestion to ask if your local library needs help! Library work is peaceful and almost meditative. I love the relaxed feeling I get when I shelve… and I’m jealous that the job is mostly done by our volunteers!

Does your state have a guardian ad litem program (also known as Court Appointed Special Advocates in some states)? If you are not familiar with the guardian ad litem program, GALs are assigned to cases involving minors when they enter the “system” whether that means they have been removed from their home or are still living at home while their parents work to regain permanent custody. In FL parents are given 12 months to complete a case plan and the GAL is needed during that time. The GAL is the voice of the child in the courtroom. You visit the child/ren a minimum of once a month, contact any important people regarding the case (Doctors, therapists, teachers, etc) and write a report for judicial reviews (usually occuring every 4 months) stating what you’ve found and what the child/ren wishes are. DH and I just started and are finding it really rewarding.

If you want to have an immediate impact every time you go, you might try volunteering as a sitter with your local hospice organization. Sitters give the family so much relief and comfort during a difficult time. It’s very sad though….